sela · Selah

What it means

sela (סֶלָה) is a Hebrew word of the Bible that means “Selah”.

A word found at the end of some stanzas of the psalms. It is probably a direction for the music or a pause; its exact sense is unknown, so it is left in Hebrew.

How to say it

Approximate pronunciation. Vowels sound as in Spanish (a as in father, e as in bed, i as in machine, o as in note, u as in rule); the syllable in bold is stressed. The voice is your device's.

Related words

Words of the same family, by Strong’s numbering.

Where it appears

• Psalms×71
• Habakkuk×3

• Psalms 3:2

  Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in Elohim.” Selah.

• Psalms 3:4

  With my voice to YHWH I call, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah.

• Psalms 3:8

  Salvation belongs to YHWH; upon your people be your blessing. Selah.

• Psalms 4:2

  Sons of man, how long will my honor be turned into humiliation? How long will you love what is vain and seek a lie? Selah.

• Psalms 4:4

  Tremble and do not sin; speak in your heart on your bed and be silent. Selah.

• Psalms 7:5

  let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and trample my life to the ground, and make my honor dwell in the dust. Selah.

• Psalms 9:16

  YHWH has made himself known; he has carried out judgment; in the work of his hands the wicked is ensnared. Higaion. Selah.

• Psalms 9:20

  Put terror on them, YHWH; let the nations know that they are mortals. Selah.

• Psalms 20:3

  May he remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt offering. Selah.

• Psalms 21:2

  The desire of his heart you have given him, and the entreaty of his lips you have not withheld. Selah.

• Psalms 24:6

  This is the generation of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, Jacob. Selah.

• Psalms 24:10

  Who is he, this King of glory? YHWH Tsevaot, he is the King of glory. Selah.

• Psalms 32:4

  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my vigor was turned into the droughts of summer. Selah.

• Psalms 32:5

  My sin I made known to you, and my iniquity I did not cover; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to YHWH,” and you took away the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

• Psalms 32:7

  You are my hiding place; from distress you will guard me; with shouts of joy of deliverance you will surround me. Selah.

• Psalms 39:5

  Look, as handbreadths you have made my days, and my lifetime is as nothing before you; only a vapor is every human being standing firm. Selah.

• Psalms 39:11

  With rebukes for iniquity you correct a man, and you melt away like a moth what he treasures; only a vapor is every human being. Selah.

• Psalms 44:8

  In Elohim we have boasted all the day, and to your name forever we will give thanks. Selah.

• Psalms 46:3

  its waters roar, foam; the mountains tremble at its pride. Selah.

• Psalms 46:7

  YHWH Tsevaot is with us; a high refuge for us is the Elohim of Jacob. Selah.

• Psalms 46:11

  YHWH Tsevaot is with us; a high refuge for us is the Elohim of Jacob. Selah.

• Psalms 47:4

  He chooses for us our inheritance, the pride of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

• Psalms 48:8

  As we had heard, so we have seen in the city of YHWH Tsevaot, in the city of our Elohim; Elohim will make it firm forever. Selah.

• Psalms 49:13

  This is their way, of those who have folly, and of those after them who are pleased with their mouth. Selah.

• Psalms 49:15

  But Elohim will ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol, for he will take me. Selah.

• Psalms 50:6

  And the heavens declare his righteousness, for Elohim himself is judge. Selah.

• Psalms 52:3

  You love evil more than good, lies more than speaking righteousness. Selah.

• Psalms 52:5

  El also will tear you down forever; he will seize you and tear you away from your tent, and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.

• Psalms 54:3

  For strangers have risen up against me, and tyrants seek my soul; they have not set Elohim before them. Selah.

• Psalms 55:7

  look, I would flee far away; I would spend the night in the wilderness. Selah.

• Psalms 55:19

  El will hear and humble them —he who sits from of old; Selah. those who have no changes and do not fear Elohim.

• Psalms 57:3

  He will send from the heavens and save me, when the one who tramples me reproaches me; Selah. Elohim will send his loyal love and his truth.

• Psalms 57:6

  A net they prepared for my footsteps; my soul was bowed down; they dug before me a hole; they fell into the middle of it. Selah.

• Psalms 59:5

  And you, YHWH Elohim Tsevaot, Elohim of Israel, rouse yourself to call to account all the nations; do not show favor to any who act treacherously with wickedness. Selah.

• Psalms 59:13

  Make an end in fury, make an end, so that they are no more; and let them know that Elohim rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah.

• Psalms 60:4

  You have given to those who fear you a banner to be raised because of the truth. Selah.

• Psalms 61:4

  I will reside in your tent forever; I will take refuge in the hiding place of your wings. Selah.

• Psalms 62:4

  Only from his height they have resolved to push him down; they delight in lies; with their mouth they bless, but inwardly they curse. Selah.

• Psalms 62:8

  Trust in him at all times, people; pour out before him your heart; Elohim is a refuge for us. Selah.

• Psalms 66:4

  All the earth will bow down to you and sing psalms to you; they will sing psalms to your name.” Selah.

And 34 more times.